plate no. 2366
The Persian
Vasily Surikov, 1902
some experience helpful
This painting provides an opportunity to practice capturing the human form with loose brushstrokes and a limited color palette. Students can develop their skills in depicting fabric textures and creating a sense of depth through subtle value changes.
technical profile
palette complexity
4
brushwork visibility
4
value contrast
3
compositional simplicity
4
study guide
est. 8 hrsapproach — 8 steps
- step 01
Lightly sketch the basic shapes of the figure and background.
- step 02
Establish the overall value structure with thin washes of color.
- step 03
Block in the main colors of the clothing and turban, focusing on the larger patterns.
- step 04
Develop the details of the face and hands, paying attention to the light and shadow.
- step 05
Add texture to the clothing with short, broken brushstrokes.
- step 06
Refine the background, blending the colors to create a sense of atmosphere.
- step 07
Add final highlights and shadows to enhance the form.
- step 08
Step back and adjust the overall composition as needed.
color palette
primary · raw umber · burnt sienna · titanium white
secondary · cadmium red light · ultramarine blue
Mix various shades of brown and beige by combining raw umber, burnt sienna, and white. Use small amounts of red and blue to create subtle color variations.
techniques
- ·dry brush texture
- ·scumbling
- ·limited palette
- ·alla prima
- ·broken color
common pitfalls
- →Overworking the details and losing the loose, painterly quality.
- →Using too many colors and creating a muddy effect.
- →Failing to establish a strong value structure.
- →Ignoring the subtle color variations in the clothing.
materials
surface · stretched canvas
required
- ·stretched canvas
- ·raw umber oil paint
- ·burnt sienna oil paint
- ·titanium white oil paint
- ·cadmium red light oil paint
- ·ultramarine blue oil paint
- ·linseed oil
- ·round brushes (sizes 2, 4, 6)
optional
- ·palette knife
- ·odorless mineral spirits
- ·painting medium
Use a canvas with a medium texture to allow for better paint adhesion. Consider using a limited palette to simplify the color mixing process.
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